Mitch Thorp

[hoopla 418]

I used to play with Mitch at North Launceston and Tassie when i trained with the vfl side. He is a very good player who unfortunately was surplus to requirements at Hawthorn because of Franklin and Roughead and did not want to play in the ruck. His departure was based on finding more game time and the split was amicable.

There has been a lot said about his attitude, character etc.

Clearly he has an ego. Was he a bit on the outer in Tassie? Can you see why some would say he's not the sort of person you want to have around?

[Dee Fan 3,247]

I'd agree with the rookie option. I'm not sure I'd flatter him with PSD #1.... he needs a big wake up call.

I'd go with the rookie option as well, if he gets on to a list as a lowly rookie it may give him a bit of a clue that he's not as good as he thinks he is. Perhaps he's always been better than those around him as a junior hence the attitude, but if he is shown the door by one club and only rookied by another he may realise that he has to do better to succeed.

[DeeM 42]

Heard from a source that, the players spoke as one and went to the coaches and said they didn’t want him in the club any more, hence the premature delisting

[rpfc 28,083]

Heard from a source that, the players spoke as one and went to the coaches and said they didn’t want him in the club any more, hence the premature delisting

I don't like that.

I know it may be false but players should go to the coach and get it sorted and out in the open, not demanding the player move on.

Unless it is Level 5 or 'Carey level' infraction...

[Carlos Danger 380]

A #6 draft pick with a horror run of injury and still only 20. He will definitely get another go at another club, whether or not it's Melbourne remains to be seen. For mine, he's not worthy of a high draft pick but to get him at the latter stages would be a risk well worth taking.

[Carn dees 108]

A #6 draft pick with a horror run of injury and still only 20. He will definitely get another go at another club, whether or not it's Melbourne remains to be seen. For mine, he's not worthy of a high draft pick but to get him at the latter stages would be a risk well worth taking.

Its just his bad attitude from what im hearing.

From that id pass unless he changes.

[Jaded No More 68,690]

Unless it is Level 5 or 'Carey level' infraction...

Wouldn't surprise me...

Stay away from him.

[Redleg 40,393]

Wouldn't surprise me...

Stay away from him.

Is his situation, behaviour and injuries unfixable? That is the question. He was a high draft pick and has talent though we haven't seen it. I am no fan of idiots and we have had a few, but they can be turned around. Sometimes rejection and the realization that your career is one step away from ending can make the penny drop.

Not that Colin Sylvia is an idiot, but you know what I mean, yet he appears to have turned it around. Could he perhaps be given added responsibility as a mentor or is it simply not worth it?

I don't know much about Thorp and am only posing the question if there is no one better available at PSD 1.

[torpedo 33]

Is his situation, behaviour and injuries unfixable? That is the question. He was a high draft pick and has talent though we haven't seen it. I am no fan of idiots and we have had a few, but they can be turned around. Sometimes rejection and the realization that your career is one step away from ending can make the penny drop.

Not that Colin Sylvia is an idiot, but you know what I mean, yet he appears to have turned it around. Could he perhaps be given added responsibility as a mentor or is it simply not worth it?

I don't know much about Thorp and am only posing the question if there is no one better available at PSD 1.

Agree with above.

Everyone seems to have very strong feelings on his attitude for someone who they no doubt have never meet or even seen play footy live. The kid is only 20. Lots of 20 year olds are [censored], I probably was.

His body is the concern for me.

[Carlos Danger 380]

Its just his bad attitude from what im hearing.

From that id pass unless he changes.

Can't dis-credit somebody because of a bad attitude, for all you know being delisted by the Hawks and getting a 2nd chance at another club might be the kick up the arse he's been needing. As for the injuries, Grimes had a horror run before getting right midway through this season and came good, I don't see why Thorp wouldn't be capable of the same.

[Nasher 33,607]

Is his situation, behaviour and injuries unfixable? That is the question.

To follow up a question with another question, if the situation and/or behaviour and injuries were fixable, what's the Hawks' reasoning for cutting him loose with a year to run on his contract? It provides no benefit to them in terms of list management (still have to pay him and it's still counted under the cap etc), and clubs don't take that kind of action lightly. It's very telling IMO.

[Redleg 40,393]

To follow up a question with another question, if the situation and/or behaviour and injuries were fixable, what's the Hawks' reasoning for cutting him loose with a year to run on his contract? It provides no benefit to them in terms of list management (still have to pay him and it's still counted under the cap etc), and clubs don't take that kind of action lightly. It's very telling IMO.

Hopefully this is an answer of sorts. It does provide a benefit to their list management in that it frees up a spot on their list. I am not pushing Thorp as I admit I know very little about him, however players are often a poor fit at one club and a great fit at another. I don't need to reel off examples as there are plenty we are all aware of.

Given they have Buddy, Roughie and Dowler they may feel they have that type of player covered. Also he may have burnt bridges with their list. As you also hint at he could be injured too badly to continue being a senior prospect. I don't know the answers, but if he has woken up as a result of being dumped the character side may be fixable. As to his physical condition, like Ball, Smith and others, the Doctors should be able to answer that after a thorough examination.

Hopefully someone else pops up that we are interested in and it won't matter.

[Nasher 33,607]

...It does provide a benefit to their list management in that it frees up a spot on their list...

...Given they have Buddy, Roughie and Dowler they may feel they have that type of player covered...

IMO neither of these likely or reasonable under the "clubs do not delist contracted players lightly" assertion. The cost of delisting a contracted player is almost certainly not worth it for an additional really late draft pick.

To be direct, I'm saying the Hawks must think he has injury or personality concerns that can't possibly be rectified. Given that they have Buddy on their list who is a walking, talking personality problem, if that's what it is then it must be very severe.

[Redleg 40,393]

Given that they have Buddy on their list who is a walking, talking personality problem, if that's what it is then it must be very severe.

Or they think Buddy is a better player.

[rpfc 28,083]

IMO neither of these likely or reasonable under the "clubs do not delist contracted players lightly" assertion. The cost of delisting a contracted player is almost certainly not worth it for an additional really late draft pick.

To be direct, I'm saying the Hawks must think he has injury or personality concerns that can't possibly be rectified. Given that they have Buddy on their list who is a walking, talking personality problem, if that's what it is then it must be very severe.

Or perhaps, and I understand this is a very shaky perhaps, they felt that any turn around in behaviour had to backed up with minutes in the AFL.

I was just thinking that attitude problems are rarely fixed in the twos, the player also has to be playing regularly.

And Thorp wouldn't be...

I would ask no less than the FD boys interviewing him and getting a feel for his personality. Little risk in the PSD too.

[John Dee 445]

To follow up a question with another question, if the situation and/or behaviour and injuries were fixable, what's the Hawks' reasoning for cutting him loose with a year to run on his contract? It provides no benefit to them in terms of list management (still have to pay him and it's still counted under the cap etc), and clubs don't take that kind of action lightly. It's very telling IMO.

As I understand it, from what I heard the Hawks list manager say the other day, Thorp had requested a trade and that Hawthorn had agreed that they would trade him or cut him loose. As the trade did not happen, they cut him loose as per their agreement.

There are still many things unanswered -

Highly rated draft pick, and Hawthorn are quite prepared to let him go for nothing. What pressured them into this and how much of that pressure resulted from Thorp himself?

It has been stated many times that he has an ego the size of a planet. Does the fact that no club would trade even a stale packet of crisps for him bring him sufficiently down to earth.

What are the state of his injuries? Surely the club would know this. Hawthorn have a track ecord of not revealing all medical problems to potential suitors, but as they no longer have any interest in Thorp, I expect that they will be totally forthcoming with all medical details.

I really don't know. There are a few too many alarm bells for me, but the club will know far more about the situation. If we take, Thorp, I will trust the club, but I would not be surprised if we made the sign of the cross and moved on.

Edited November 4, 2009 by undeeniable

[Darren Cuthbertson 0]

There has been a lot said about his attitude, character etc.

Clearly he has an ego. Was he a bit on the outer in Tassie? Can you see why some would say he's not the sort of person you want to have around?

Hoopla

He was the most hated man at Hawthorn until he was delisted, no one there liked him. All the talk about the delisting being by mutual agreement is false, purely designed to enhance his prospect at getting drafted. Mitch was cut and he didn't even see it coming.

[Fat Tony 5,188]

Does it really matter if he is a [censored]?

People forget that Nathan Buckley, Wayne Carey and Gary Ablett Snr were all disliked when they left their first clubs.

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

Does it really matter if he is a [censored]?

People forget that Nathan Buckley, Wayne Carey and Gary Ablett Snr were all disliked when they left their first clubs.

Yes it does particularly in the context of Thorp.

Buckley was a gun footballer from his early days who did not want to stay at Brisbane because he wanted to play in a premiership. He went to the Pies. Won none and the Lions did the 3peat. Cant blame Brisbane for being rejected by him.

Carey was finished as a footballer when he left North and his behaviour seriously damaged the Club and some of its players.

Ablett Snr was not disliked at Hawthorn at all. Ablett could not adapt to city life and went to the country. They knew he could play but found him a bit of a loner who was difficult to spark up for footy.

Now why did Carlton get rid of an 80 goal FF again? Hmmm

[Harry Manback 2]

I really hope the Dees are considering Thorp for the PSD.

Notwithstanding his acrimonious departure from the Hawks and queries over both his body and attitude, Thorp was a highly rated junior and at 20 years of age fits in perfectly with our youth drafting policy. He is also a 194cm KPF who would fill a significant need in our team structure.

I'm not disputing the fact that he would be coming across with baggage and there's every possibility that the Hawks were justified when deciding he was not worth the trouble... However, a new environment together with the reality check he would have no doubt received upon getting delisted may just be the catalyst he needs to get his act together.

The Dees should invite him down to pre-season training and get a first hand look at him to assess his attitude, ability to interact with his potential teammates and see exactly where his body is at. We have absolutely nothing to lose - the worst thing that could come of it would be that all the reports about his body and attitude are correct and we can just leave him for Richmond in the PSD. At best, he could deliver on the talent that saw him selected at number 6 in the 2006 draft and become a valuable member of our push towards that elusive 13th flag...

Judging from the tone of this thread I doubt this post will receive much support, but I believe Thorp is a far more exciting prospect for the MFC than Luke Ball and really hope the club does its due diligence in deciding whether or not he is worth the risk.

Edited November 5, 2009 by Harry Manback

[Dappa Dan 2,188]

I really hope the Dees are considering Thorp for the PSD.

It's well considered, but I can't go with you on the Luke Ball comparison. Ball has played a lot of very VERY good football.

The cons column with Thorp is long, and in the pros column I can only think of two things. One, that he was a highly rated junior, and two, that he is a KP player and thus will take longer.

Both those aspects are more than a bit airy fairy. How highly rated a junior was means NOTHING compared to how they adapt to the big stage. In fact, getting hung up on draft position is one of the biggest traps to fall into. Jarrad Oakley Nichols being a fine example. 426 another one closer to home. The Hawks are NOT allowing a draft ranking from a few years ago affect their decision making. Were he a pick 60 with the same opportunities and the same on-field performance, he'd have been cut with little or no fanfare.

The other pro, his type (KP) and the whole "talls take longer" rule is probably the only thing in his favour. The arguement is so heavily weighed against him.

Try this on for size. If we were looking at drafting a KP forward at a mature age (Jurrah for example), we would be looking primarily at his last 3 years of footy ALONE. Yes he's been injured, but even with that consideration, would you be looking at him seriously? Would anyone?

A speculative PSD pick, assuming there isn't a proven performer in there somewhere, then sure. It's worth a look. CERTAINLY worth inviting him down to train... But there was a reason no-one took the bait when it came to trade week. No-one really wants to give up anythimg for him.

[LITTLE STINGA 1]

Does it really matter if he is a [censored]?

People forget that Nathan Buckley, Wayne Carey and Gary Ablett Snr were all disliked when they left their first clubs.

Some how I don't think people will ever forget that Carey was disliked by North when he left.

[Adam286 0]

Judging from the tone of this thread I doubt this post will receive much support, but I believe Thorp is a far more exciting prospect for the MFC than Luke Ball and really hope the club does its due diligence in deciding whether or not he is worth the risk.

While I don't think that Thorpe is a more exciting prospect than Ball, I do believe that the club should and will do their due dilligence on Thorpe in the PSD. Looking at the predicted first round of the National Draft in the Herald Sun and Inside Footy this week, both have most of the quality talls (Butcher, Black, Carlisle and Talia), all being picked up in the first round, which could well leave our pick at 18 without a real standout KPF, especially if there is quality in other positions still available, ie more mids or ruck prospects.

Personal issues may be able to be dealt with, and I think that we would be foolish not to see if the footy package he posesses would be a good fit for our club. I'll back the clubs judgement to view whether or not he would be worth the gamble.

Edited November 6, 2009 by Adam286

[w00dy 146]

Liam Pickering, Thorp's manager, has just confirmed on SEN that Thorp will start training with us on Monday...

Looks like we're definitely having a look, great opportunity for us to have a closer look at him, and decide if he'll fit in at the club.

[1858 285]

Thorp training with us is interesting. I wonder if there are 1 or 2 nervous uncontracted players. If we ended up chasing Thorp with PSD1 are we likely to create another spot so we have 1,2,11,18,34 + PSD1 or will we stay as is and forget 34?